Amir Khan has weighed in on whether or not Conor Benn will carry his power up to middleweight when he faces Chris Eubank Jr next week.
This generational fight has been brewing since October 2022 when it was first scheduled but was canned after Benn tested positive for a banned substance.
He spent the subsequent two years fighting to clear his name – as well as having a couple of lower-level bouts across the pond – while Eubank was stopped by Liam Smith in his next fight, then knocked him out in the rematch six months later, and also stopped Kamil Szeremeta last October.
The fight has now been rescheduled for April 26 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and will see Benn move up two divisions from his natural class for the challenge.
Speaking to Coin Casino, Khan assed how the fight might go and sided with Eubank, despite having previously told Benn he gave him the edge.
“Conor Benn will be in safe hands, because Eubank’s not the biggest puncher. He’s very technical, but I think Conor might actually be the bigger puncher in that fight by putting a bit of weight on. So I think it’s very evenly matched, a good fight for both fighters. I’d say it’s 60–40 in favour of Eubank just because of the weight, the height, and the size.
Having said that, the former two-time world champion has little doubt that Benn, who has 14 stoppages from 23 wins, will have the power at 160 to knock Eubank out.
“But listen, anything can happen in boxing. Conor Benn could start fast and could go straight in and knock him out early. The way he’s been training – he looks explosive. I’ve been watching him train for the Eubank fight, and he looks really dangerous. I think he’s got that love back again. You need that dancing partner to bring the hunger back, and I think Eubank is that guy.”
Although Eubank will indeed be the bigger man on the night, and he has fought a better level of opponent at a higher weight, he will be hampered by a rehydration clause that means he not be able to weigh in more than 10 lbs over on the morning of the fight. Both that and Benn coming up in weight has led his father, Eubank Sr, to brand the fight disgraceful.
